By Peter Onyekachukwu 
By Peter Onyekachukwu
Senate President Godswill Akpabio on Wednesday reprimanded Senator Sani Musa for proposing that President Bola Tinubu’s nominee for Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa, be allowed to “take a bow and go” during his screening.
Akpabio, who appeared visibly displeased, argued that the country’s worsening security situation made such a gesture inappropriate and insensitive.
“This is not the time for politics of ‘bow and go’. Even Donald Trump is on our neck,” Akpabio said while addressing Senator Musa. “We’ve not asked him what his response will be to Donald Trump.”
He stressed that Nigerians were anxious for answers, particularly with more than 200 children still held by kidnappers. “A nominee for Minister of Defence, and you stand up and say he should take a bow and go, with so many questions on the mouth of Nigerians. Let’s give the man the opportunity to give Nigerians hope,” he said.
General Musa’s nomination came after the resignation of former Defence Minister Mohammed Badaru, who stepped down due to ill health. His replacement had long been anticipated, with security analysts and political observers expecting President Tinubu to forward Musa’s name.
The formal nomination was transmitted to the Senate on Tuesday.
The development comes amid rising public anger as kidnapping cases surge across the country. The latest was the abduction of 303 pupils and students from St. Mary’s Private Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools in Papiri, Niger State.
Fifty of the abducted children reportedly escaped and have been reunited with their families.
Most Rev. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, Chairman of the Niger State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), confirmed the development but urged continued prayers for the remaining captives.
“As much as we receive the return of these 50 children with some sigh of relief, I urge you all to continue in your prayers for the rescue and safe return of the remaining victims,” he said in a statement signed by his media aide, Daniel Atori.
Providing an update, Yohanna revealed that 251 primary pupils, 14 secondary school students and 12 teachers are still being held by the abductors.
According to him, St. Mary’s has 430 pupils in the primary section, 377 of whom are boarders. While 50 escaped and 141 were not abducted, 236 pupils remain in captivity, along with three children belonging to staff members, 14 secondary school students and 12 staff.
The Niger school abduction is one of several recent attacks reported across Kwara, Kebbi and Borno states, further heightening pressure on the federal government to strengthen national security.